With fans set to return for the 2021 Melbourne Cup carnival in Australia, we guide racing fans through potential outfit ideas, so that they can fit in with the regulars at Flemington racecourse.
Twilight Payment’s victory in last year’s Melbourne Cup was greeted with a much smaller roar than usual. Due to rising cases of Covid-19, the entire Melbourne Spring Carnival was staged behind closed doors, meaning the stands which usually house up to 100,000 passionate racegoers were practically empty.
Even now, Australian horse racing continues to be played out behind closed doors. However, there is a chink of light at the end of the rainbow.
Victoria Racing Club CEO Steve Rosich released a statement during the summer, claiming the VRC were, “working closely with Government and health authorities to ensure the return of crowds for our spring feature race days, starting with Sofitel Girls Day Out on Saturday 11 September 2021.”
Tickets will soon go on sale for the 2021 Melbourne Spring Carnival and flat racing fans who’re lucky enough to gain entry to this famous meeting will need to decide upon what outfit to wear. As with most horse racing events around the world, dressing for the occasion is vitally important. Here are a few Melbourne Cup dress code trends to help you plan your ensemble.
Melbourne Cup Day is all about having fun, so attendees are encouraged to experiment with their outfits. Women are encouraged to wear bright colours and bold patterns, while headwear is an area where racegoers often opt for a statement piece.
Hats and fascinators will be seen across the racecourse during the carnival. Guests usually place their chosen headwear on the right side of their head and tilt their piece slightly forward. If you’d rather go with a fascinator, then look for something with a strong base, a feather and some form of netting.
Male visitors often wears suits, but rarely opt for black or navy. Stick to lighter colours and materials like wool and linen. Don’t fancy donning the suit? Then a shirt, tie and blazer, combined with pastel pants and loafers is another popular choice.
If you want to accessorise your outfit, then a clutch bag is a must for ladies. We highly recommend that both male and female racegoers find a spot for some sunglasses in your outfit, as you may find it difficult to watch the action on the track if the Melbourne sun is staring you straight in the face.
Awards will be handed out for the best dressed male and female ticket holders on the day of the Melbourne Cup. So, if you do manage to snag a ticket to watch “the race that stops a nation”, then make sure you’re dressed to the nines!